Scotch whisky adds £30.4m to economy

Scotch whisky distilleries and visitor centres add £30.4 million to the economy and provide 640 jobs.

Scotch whisky distilleries and visitor centres add £30.4 million to the economy and provide 640 jobs.

A report into Scotch whisky and tourism showed that nine out of 10 distillery visitors come from outside Scotland, with two thirds coming from outside of the UK.

The report, commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association from 4-consulting, also identified the "distillery effect" which sees tourism and cultural clusters forming in production areas. Scotch Whisky export growth is encouraging new tourists from countries which are discovering a taste for Scotch, who tend to visit Scotland for longer periods.

Campbell Evans, SWA director of government and consumer affairs, said: "Scotch Whisky and tourism can be seen as the perfect blend and complement one another.

"Our survey shows the scale of the economic impact of Scotch whisky and how exports can help drive up tourism. Spending by tourists, and the jobs created as a result, is injecting new money into the Scottish economy."

On average, every £100 million of Scotch Whisky exports are associated with £20.6 million of direct tourism spending. With Scotch whisky exports of more than £3 billion, it is estimated that the industry is associated with around £640 million of direct tourism. After accounting for multiplier effects, the overall impact it likely to exceed £1 billion each year.